Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering
This master's gives you comprehensive, specialized training in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of ports and offshore structures. You will work across metocean conditions, marine geotechnics and foundations, breakwaters, quays, jackets, monopiles and floating platforms, marine construction and dredging, asset integrity, digital modeling and the economics of maritime infrastructure, so that you can lead resilient, sustainable projects from the coastline to the open sea, including foundations for offshore wind and other marine energy installations.
Prior knowledge check
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What is the Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering?
This master's treats ports and offshore structures as one engineering system in which structure, sea, seabed, operations and environment interact. You will study physical oceanography, wave spectra, tides, currents and storm surge, and the reflection, diffraction and transmission of waves around structures; site investigation, marine sediments, shallow and deep foundations, monopiles, piles and caissons, scour and liquefaction; the structural design of rubble-mound and vertical breakwaters, quays, jackets, fixed and floating platforms, FPSOs and offshore substations under hydrodynamic, operational, seismic and accidental loads, with fatigue and corrosion in mind; marine construction methods, floating cranes, dredgers and offshore installation logistics; terminal operations, mooring and fenders; and hydrodynamic and structural simulation, BIM and digital twins.
What sets this master's apart: unlike a program focused only on port infrastructure, it follows marine structures out to the open sea and through their entire life, from metocean design and foundation engineering for offshore wind to integrity management, underwater inspection, cathodic protection, remaining-life assessment, life extension and decommissioning; it adds the economics of maritime infrastructure, with CAPEX, OPEX, concessions and public-private partnerships; and it closes with a Final Project in which you design a port, terminal or offshore structure from site analysis and modeling to construction strategy and life cycle plan.
Program highlights
- Metocean design: wave spectra, tides, currents, storm surge, design conditions and climate change scenarios.
- Marine geotechnics and foundations: site investigation, monopiles, piles, caissons, scour and liquefaction.
- Structural design of breakwaters, quays, jackets, fixed and floating platforms, FPSOs and offshore substations.
- Marine construction, dredging, offshore installation logistics, contracts and project control.
- Integrity management, underwater inspection, cathodic protection, life extension and decommissioning.
- Final Project: a complete port, terminal or offshore structure, from site analysis to construction and life cycle plan.
Syllabus of the Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of port and offshore engineering, maritime systems and integrated bases for the design and operation of marine infrastructure
- 1.1. The concept of port and offshore structures engineering and the differences between port infrastructure, maritime works, specialized terminals and industrial marine assets
- 1.2. The evolution of ports and offshore platforms toward integrated, automated systems that are resilient to extreme environmental conditions
- 1.3. Components of a port system: maritime access, protective works, quays, terminals, yards, services and logistics connections
- 1.4. Types of offshore structures: fixed and floating platforms, semisubmersibles, jackets, monopiles, FPSOs and offshore substations
- 1.5. Interaction between marine dynamics, structure, geotechnics, logistics operations and safety in infrastructure design
- 1.6. Environmental constraints: waves, currents, wind, tides, corrosion, biofouling and extreme events
- 1.7. Classification of ports: commercial, energy, industrial, fishing, recreational and naval
- 1.8. Relationship between port engineering, the maritime economy, global trade and the energy transition
- 1.9. Multidisciplinary integration of civil, naval, geotechnical, environmental and energy engineering
- 1.10. A systems approach to port and offshore design as the integration of structure, operations, environment and sustainability
Applied oceanography, hydrodynamics and maritime climate for the design of port and offshore infrastructure
- 2.1. Fundamentals of physical oceanography and their application in maritime engineering
- 2.2. Wave characterization: significant height, period, spectra and propagation
- 2.3. Tides, currents, water levels and extreme phenomena such as storm surge
- 2.4. Coastal hydrodynamics and wave behavior in port areas
- 2.5. Interaction between structures and waves: reflection, diffraction and transmission
- 2.6. Numerical and physical models for hydrodynamic simulation
- 2.7. Definition of design conditions and limit states
- 2.8. Impact of climate change on maritime conditions
- 2.9. Instrumentation and measurement of oceanographic variables
- 2.10. Use of metocean data for safe and efficient design
Marine geotechnics, foundations and stability of structures in offshore and port environments
- 3.1. Fundamentals of marine geotechnics and characterization of seabed soils
- 3.2. Offshore site investigation techniques: boreholes, in situ tests and geophysics
- 3.3. Properties of marine sediments and their behavior under load
- 3.4. Shallow and deep foundations for port structures
- 3.5. Monopiles, piles, caissons and special offshore solutions
- 3.6. Stability of slopes, fills and reclaimed land
- 3.7. Dredging, deepening and maintenance of channels
- 3.8. Ground improvement techniques and settlement control
- 3.9. Geotechnical hazards: scour, liquefaction and erosion
- 3.10. Integration of geotechnics and structure in the overall design
Structural design of port works, quays, breakwaters and offshore structures
- 4.1. Types of breakwaters: rubble-mound, vertical, sloping and composite structures
- 4.2. Quay design: piles, caissons, sheet pile walls and combined structures
- 4.3. Structural loads: hydrodynamic, operational, seismic and accidental
- 4.4. Design of offshore structures: jackets, floating platforms and foundations
- 4.5. Structural analysis under combined loads and limit states
- 4.6. Structural materials: concrete, steel, composites and corrosion protection
- 4.7. Soil-structure interaction in marine systems
- 4.8. Durability, fatigue and service life in aggressive environments
- 4.9. Applicable international standards and codes
- 4.10. Structural optimization for safety, cost and maintenance
Marine construction, logistics, dredging and management of port and offshore projects
- 5.1. Construction methods for maritime and offshore works
- 5.2. Marine construction equipment: dredgers, floating cranes, barges and auxiliary systems
- 5.3. Construction sequence for breakwaters, quays and offshore structures
- 5.4. Management of dredging and disposal of dredged material
- 5.5. Transport logistics, prefabrication and assembly at sea
- 5.6. Quality control, safety and risks during construction
- 5.7. Planning works around maritime conditions
- 5.8. Management of costs, schedules and contracts in maritime projects
- 5.9. Coordination among stakeholders: engineers, contractors, authorities and operators
- 5.10. Integrating construction and design to optimize the project
Port operations, maintenance and management of offshore assets
- 6.1. Operation of port terminals and management of maritime traffic
- 6.2. Ship maneuverability and the design of approaches and turning basins
- 6.3. Mooring systems, fenders and port equipment
- 6.4. Maintenance of port and offshore infrastructure
- 6.5. Structural inspection, monitoring and life cycle management
- 6.6. Management of operational risks and maritime safety
- 6.7. Optimization of logistics operations and port efficiency
- 6.8. Management of offshore assets in energy and transport
- 6.9. Digitalization, automation and smart ports
- 6.10. Integration of operations, maintenance and sustainability
Sustainability, environmental impact and resilience of maritime and offshore infrastructure
- 7.1. Environmental impact assessment of port and offshore projects
- 7.2. Management of marine ecosystems and protection of biodiversity
- 7.3. Control of erosion, sedimentation and water quality
- 7.4. Environmental mitigation strategies during construction and operation
- 7.5. Resilient design for climate change and extreme events
- 7.6. Circular economy and sustainability in materials and processes
- 7.7. Integration of offshore renewable energy
- 7.8. Environmental regulations and compliance
- 7.9. Social responsibility and relations with coastal communities
- 7.10. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure
Modeling, simulation and digital tools for port and offshore engineering
- 8.1. Hydrodynamic modeling and wave simulation
- 8.2. Structural simulation and load analysis
- 8.3. Geotechnical and soil-structure interaction models
- 8.4. Use of specialized maritime engineering software
- 8.5. BIM applied to port and offshore projects
- 8.6. Digital twins and real-time monitoring
- 8.7. Data integration on digital platforms
- 8.8. Validation of models with real data
- 8.9. Optimization through advanced simulation
- 8.10. Using digital tools for decision-making
Port economics, financing and development strategy for maritime infrastructure
- 9.1. Economic models of ports and offshore assets
- 9.2. Assessment of port demand, traffic and capacity
- 9.3. Analysis of costs, CAPEX, OPEX and profitability
- 9.4. Concession models, PPPs and infrastructure financing
- 9.5. Port expansion and development strategies
- 9.6. Competitiveness, positioning and global logistics networks
- 9.7. Port-city integration and regional development
- 9.8. Financial and regulatory risks in maritime projects
- 9.9. Long-term strategic planning
- 9.10. Building sustainable port development models
Decommissioning, inspection and integrity of marine structures
- 10.1. Structural integrity management of marine assets
- 10.2. Underwater inspection of quays and offshore structures
- 10.3. Corrosion and cathodic protection of structures
- 10.4. Real-time structural monitoring
- 10.5. Remaining life assessment
- 10.6. Repair and strengthening of maritime works
- 10.7. Life extension of platforms
- 10.8. Decommissioning of offshore structures
- 10.9. Regulations on decommissioning and reuse
- 10.10. Case study: an integrity management plan
Final Project
- 11.1. Project definition: the port, terminal or offshore structure to be developed
- 11.2. Analysis of the maritime environment, geotechnical conditions and operational requirements
- 11.3. Conceptual design of the infrastructure and selection of the structural type
- 11.4. Hydrodynamic, structural and geotechnical modeling of the project
- 11.5. Assessment of technical, economic and environmental feasibility
- 11.6. Design of the construction strategy and execution plan
- 11.7. Integration of operations, maintenance and life cycle
- 11.8. Preparation of the full technical report
- 11.9. Preparation of drawings and technical documentation
- 11.10. Presentation and defense of the final project with overall validation of the engineering solution
Duration and format of the Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering
Career opportunities after the Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering
Questions about the Master's in Port and Offshore Structures Engineering
Both. It covers coastal and port works such as breakwaters, quays and terminals, and offshore structures in open water such as jackets, monopiles, floating platforms, FPSOs and offshore substations, with a shared foundation in metocean conditions, geotechnics and structural design.
It goes beyond the port into offshore structures and their full life cycle, including foundations for offshore wind, offshore installation logistics, integrity management, life extension and decommissioning.
Yes. The program includes hydrodynamic, structural and geotechnical modeling, BIM and digital twins, and you will use these approaches in case studies and in your Final Project.
A degree in civil or naval engineering, architecture or a related field is the usual profile, but proven experience in maritime or offshore construction is also considered. The admission interview confirms the fit.
Yes. Offshore wind appears in foundations, structural design, sustainability and asset management, and you can choose an offshore wind structure as the subject of your Final Project.
Fully online, with live sessions, specialized modules and real case studies, designed so that working professionals can combine it with their job.
Through design exercises, calculations, case studies and short tests in each module, and a Final Project in which you develop and defend a complete port or offshore engineering solution.
A Navalis Institute master's certificate and a technical portfolio with your designs, models and project documentation.
More programs in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: degree in civil engineering, naval engineering, architecture or a related field, or demonstrable professional experience in maritime or offshore construction; knowledge of fluid mechanics, strength of materials, structural analysis and geotechnics is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: computer with a high-speed internet connection, a PDF viewer and enough capacity to run simulation software when needed.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.